Former India captain makes massive prediction on Vaibhav Suryavanshi ahead of SRH vs RR IPL 2026 Eliminator

Former Team India captain Kris Srikkanth backed Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi to deliver with the bat in the IPL 2026 Eliminator against SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in New Chandigarh on May 27. The southpaw has enjoyed an excellent season thus far, scoring 583 runs at an average of 41.64 and a strike rate of 232.27 in 14 outings.

Vaibhav scored his lone century of this season against SRH when the two teams last faced each other. Yet RR have lost both of their outings to SRH this season, heading into the Eliminator.

When asked about his pick for the SRH-RR Eliminator, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel (25:50):

“I believe it’s 55-45 to RR. Vaibhav Suryavanshi didn’t score in the last match, and he has that fire. Usually, if he fails in one game, he performs in the next. If he and Jaiswal set the tone, that’ll be enough for RR, with Jurel batting very well. If Archer bowls two deadly deliveries and removes Head and Abhishek, he can finish you off in the powerplay itself.”

The upcoming SRH encounter will be Vaibhav’s first taste of the IPL playoffs after RR failed to qualify for the playoffs in his maiden IPL season last year.

“On paper, SRH are a gun side and the far superior side” – Kris Srikkanth

Despite picking RR as the slight favorites for the IPL 2026 Eliminator, Kris Srikkanth acknowledged SRH as the superior side on paper. While RR clinched the final playoff spot with 8 wins in 14 games, the Orange Army finished third with 9 wins in 14 matches.

“On paper, SRH are a gun side and the far superior side. They have as dangerous a batting side as RCB. But RCB scores in a more collective manner. Yet, RR are a funny and dangerous side. We can’t underestimate RR. SRH’s real plus is Kishan and Klaasen. Their Nos. 3 and 4 are too strong and have been the best 3 and 4 in the competition,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

The winner of the SRH-RR game will take on the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 2 for the right to advance to the final, while the loser will be eliminated from the competition.